Bats of the United States and Canada

by Michael J. Harvey, J. Scott Altenbach, Troy L. Best

Overview

Honorable Mention, Popular Science, 2012 PROSE Awards, Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division of the Association of American Publishers

The only mammals capable of true flight, bats are among the world’s most fascinating creatures. This accessible guide to the forty-seven species of bats found in the United States and Canada captures and explains the amazing diversity of these marvels of evolution.

A wide variety of bat species live in the United States and Canada, ranging from the California leaf-nosed bat to the Florida bonneted bat, from the eastern small-footed bat to the northern long-eared bat. The authors provide an overview of bat classification, biology, feeding behavior, habitats, migration, and reproduction. They discuss the ever-increasing danger bats face from destruction of habitat, wind turbines, chemical toxicants, and devastating diseases like white-nose syndrome, which is killing millions of cave bats in North America. Illustrated species accounts include range maps and useful identification tips.

Written by three of the world’s leading bat experts and featuring J. Scott Altenbach's stunning photographs, this fact-filled and easy-to-use book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of bats in the U.S. and Canada.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421403007
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	12/01/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael J. Harvey is professor emeritus and an adjunct professor in the Department of Biology at Tennessee Technological University. J. Scott Altenbach is professor emeritus in the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico. Troy L. Best is a professor of biological sciences at Auburn University.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Classification
Biology
Echolocations
Benefits of Insectivorous Bats
Foraging
Feeding Behavior
Noninsectivorous Bats
Vampire Bats
Guano
Summer Habitat
Summer–Autumn Swarming
Winter Habitat and Hibernation
Migration
Homing Ability
Reproduction and Longevity
Bats as Food
Bat "Bombs"
Mines and Bridges
Controlling "Nuisance" Bats
Attracting Bats
Threats to Bats
Rabies
Histoplasmosis
Bats and Wind Power
White-nose Syndrome
Conservation
Status of Bats in the United States and Canada
Endangered Species and Subspecies
Research Techniques
Inventories
Thermal Imaging
Nets and Traps
Bat Banding
Radiotelemetry
Acoustic Identification
Additional Techniques
Species Accounts
Mexican Long-tongued Bat, Choeronycteris mexicana
Mexican Long-nosed Bat, Leptonycteris nivalis
Lesser Long-nosed Bat, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae
California Leaf-nosed Bat, Macrotus californicus
Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat, Artibeus jamaicensis
Peter's Ghost-faced Bat, Mormoops megalophylla
Florida Bonneted Bat, Eumops floridanus
Greater Bonneted Bat, Eumops perotis
Underwood's Bonneted Bat, Eumops underwoodi
Pallas' Mastiff Bat, Molossus molossus
Pocketed Free-tailed Bat, Nyctinomops femorosaccus
Big Free-tailed Bat, Nyctinomops macrotis
Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, Tadarida brasiliensis
Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus
Western Red Bat, Lasiurus blossevillii
Eastern Red Bat, Lasiurus borealis
Hoary Bat, Lasiurus cinereus
Southern Yellow Bat, Lasiurus ega
Northern Yellow Bat, Lasiurus intermedius
Seminole Bat, Lasiurus seminolus
Western Yellow Bat, Lasiurus xanthinus
Evening Bat, Nycticeius humeralis
Canyon Bat, Parastrellus hesperus
Tri-colored Bat, Perimyotis subflavus
Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquii
Townsend's Big-eared Bat, Corynorhinus townsendii
Spotted Bat, Euderma maculatum
Allen's Big-eared Bat, Idionycteris phyllotis
Pallid Bat, Antrozous pallidus
Silver-haired Bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans
Southwestern Bat, Myotis auriculus
Southeastern Bat, Myotis austroriparius
California Bat, Myotis californicus
Western Small-footed Bat, Myotis ciliolabrum
Long-eared Bat, Myotis evotis
Gray Bat, Myotis grisescens
Keen's Bat, Myotis keenii
Eastern Small-footed Bat, Myotis leibii
Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus
Dark-nosed Small-footed Bat, Myotis melanorhinus
Arizona Bat, Myotis occultus
Northern Long-eared Bat, Myotis septentrionalis
Indiana Bat, Myotis sodalis
Fringed Bat, Myotis thysanodes
Cave Bat, Myotis velifer
Long-legged Bat, Myotis volans
Yuma Bat, Myotis yumanensis
Species of Accidental Occurrence
Hairy-legged Vampire Bat, Diphylla ecaudata
Buffy Flower Bat, Erophylla sezekorni
Cuban Flower Bat, Phyllonycteris poeyi
Cuban Fig-eating Bat, Phyllops falcatus
Summary
Appendix: Bats of the United States and Canada (Including Protection Status)
Index

Editorial Reviews

Richly illustrated with an outstanding assortment of full-color photographs . . . Written in a clear and conversational style . . . Whether you are just becoming interested in bats or are already a well-informed chiropteran reader, this text will be a fine addition to your caving library.
—Danny A. Brass, Underground Movement

If you are at all interested in bats, get a copy of this book. You will be glad you did!
—Book Bargains and Previews

A well-written, interesting primer on bats that provides a broad overview of bat biology and conservation . . . The book is richly illustrated with an excellent assortment of full-color photographs. Written in a clear, conversational style, the volume is suitable for general readers interested in learning more about this fascinating and unique group of mammals.
—Choice

Almost anyone who has an interest in bats will find the book useful. For the expert it's a quick but not overly detailed description of the biology, distribution, and appearance of the species in question and perfect for quick questions regarding life history or distribution. For novice bat biologists it should be a great introduction to the biology of bats; I can see it as an inexpensive text for an undergraduate class in bats. And for the general reader it's an easy way to start to plumb bat diversity, biology,and threats.
—Journal of Mammalogy

A nice addition to home and library bookshelves everywhere.
—Micheal D. Baker, Journal of Mammal Evolution

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in an up-to-date introduction to bats and their biology, in the United States and Canada . . . an inexpensive and invaluable resource for teaching and outreach.
—Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, Bat Research News

This comprehensive guide will be useful for all interested in Chiroptera.
—Evelyne Bremond-Hoslet, Mammalia

From the Publisher

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in an up-to-date introduction to bats and their biology, in the United States and Canada . . . an inexpensive and invaluable resource for teaching and outreach.

Bat Research News - Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell

If you are at all interested in bats, get a copy of this book. You will be glad you did!

Book Bargains and Previews

Almost anyone who has an interest in bats will find the book useful. For the expert it's a quick but not overly detailed description of the biology, distribution, and appearance of the species in question and perfect for quick questions regarding life history or distribution. For novice bat biologists it should be a great introduction to the biology of bats; I can see it as an inexpensive text for an undergraduate class in bats. And for the general reader it's an easy way to start to plumb bat diversity, biology,and threats.

Journal of Mammalogy

Richly illustrated with an outstanding assortment of full-color photographs . . . Written in a clear and conversational style . . . Whether you are just becoming interested in bats or are already a well-informed chiropteran reader, this text will be a fine addition to your caving library.

Underground Movement - Danny A. Brass

This comprehensive guide will be useful for all interested in Chiroptera.

Mammalia - Evelyne Bremond-Hoslet

A well-written, interesting primer on bats that provides a broad overview of bat biology and conservation . . . The book is richly illustrated with an excellent assortment of full-color photographs. Written in a clear, conversational style, the volume is suitable for general readers interested in learning more about this fascinating and unique group of mammals.

Choice

A nice addition to home and library bookshelves everywhere.

Journal of Mammal Evolution - Micheal D. Baker

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in an up-to-date introduction to bats and their biology, in the United States and Canada... an inexpensive and invaluable resource for teaching and outreach.

— Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell

Bat Research News

A nice addition to home and library bookshelves everywhere.

— Micheal D. Baker

Journal of Mammal Evolution

Richly illustrated with an outstanding assortment of full-color photographs... Written in a clear and conversational style... Whether you are just becoming interested in bats or are already a well-informed chiropteran reader, this text will be a fine addition to your caving library.

— Danny A. Brass

Underground Movement